Cigarette making apparatus



Jan. 27, 1970 J. 1.. PAYNTER 3,491,768

CIGARETTE MAKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 1/ i I I 1 f K l "n. L

I INVENTOR JUL/41V PAPA/r6 8 BY a, 3MIQIZAJ-SMYM ATTORNEYS Jan. 27, 1970 J. L. PAYNTER 3,491,763

CIGARETTE MAKING- APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1968 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS JUL/ Ml 4. PAVA/TEQ Jan.- 27, 1970 J. L. PAYNTER 3,491,763

CIGARETTE MAKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. s, 1968 e Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR .Tuz. (4N L. P4 i/A/Tee ATTORN EYS Jan. 27, J. L. PAYN-TER I CIGARETTE MAKING AEPARATUS Filed Aug. 5 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet. 4.

e i M S s m %y w? M m .k E o w m w .w I ,A N/ \N m 1. I N 6R 3 \N Kw mm mm WW \w mm RR M s Mm w M\ Jan. 27, 1970 J. L. PAYNTER 3,491,768

CIGARETTE MAKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1968 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR .Tuz. m L. PH V Ta e ATTORNEYS Jan. 27, 1970 Filed Aug. 5, 1968 .1. L. PAYNTER CIGARETTE MAKING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR 704m 4. parure-e ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()fiice 3,491,768 Patented Jan. 27, 1970 3,491,768 CIGARETTE MAKING APPARATUS Julian L. Paynter, Salem, Ind. 47167 Filed Aug. 5, 1968, Ser. No. 750,070 Int. Cl. A24c 5/02, 5/58, 5/42 US. Cl. 13172 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for manually making filter or mouthpiece cigarettes in which there is provided a housing having a chamber consisting of two compartments adapted for the reception of loose tobacco and a filter. A slide is shiftably carried in said chamber for moving the tobacco and filter or mouthpiece into an aligned position against a plunger also slidably carried in said chamber. The tobacco is compressed as it is moved into alignment. The slide is movable toward and away from said plunger by means of a finger graspable handle disposed exteriorly of the housing. The plunger on the other hand is movable transversely of the direction of movement of the slide for forcing the aligned filter and compacted tobacco through a nozzle into a paper tube positioned on the nozzle exteriorly of the housing.

Background of the invention Manually operable cigarette making apparatus heretofore available has required rather elaborate assemblies for compacting loose tobacco for insertion into a cigarette paper tube, and such apparatus has been rather bulky and expensive to manufacture. This has been abundantly true insofar as such assemblies were adapted to making filter tip cigarettes. It would be advantageous to provide a cigarette making apparatus which will be inexpensive to manufacture, compact in size, and which will permit the making of cigarettes quickly and efiiciently.

The problems incident to manually positioning a determinate amount of loose tobacco in a cigarette paper tube are multiplied many fiold in attempting to make a filter tip cigarette. Not only is it desirable to compress a charge of tobacco in a cigarette paper tube, but it is also important to properly position the filter plug within the tube against the tobacco column. Certainly the art has evidenced the uniqueness if not the need for inserting both the filter and the tobacco within the paper tube simultaneously.

Generally, the prior art has suggested either inserting the filter tip or the tobacco into the tube one before the other in a two-step operation. A principal reason for the difficulty involved is the fact that often strands of tobacco get displaced and become located in the filter portion of the cigarette which naturally is undesirable and may provide a filter bypass or a reject. Therefore, the filter and the tobacco was handled separately and placed within the tube in separate operations. It would therefore be a significant step forward in the art it a cigarette making apparatus could be provided which would handle the filter and tobacco together while still protecting the filter portion of the cigarette from becoming infiltrated with strands of tobacco during the cigarette manufacturing steps.

Summary of the invention Therefore, among the objectives of this invention is to provide a manual cigarette manufacturing apparatus which permits the execution of the one-step operation defined above for simultaneously inserting a compressed tobacco charge and filter plug into a tube. In Short, a cigarette making apparatus is provided which is inexpensive to manufacture, compact in size, permits the making of both filter and non-filter cigarettes and, in the manufacture of filter cigarettes, facilitates the handling of both the filter and the tobacco for an individual cigarette simultaneously in proper relative position so that the tobacco may be compacted while located adjacent to the filter and then the filter and compacted tobacco injected into a cigarette paper tube. With the apparatus as described in detail below, a filter cigarette may be manufactured in the above-mentioned manner without the danger of infiltrating the filter portion of the cigarette with strands of tobacco from the tobacco portion of the cigarette.

The above objectives are achieved by a variety of different embodiments, several of which are disclosed in detail in the accompanying drawings and the detailed discussion below.

In accordance with one form of the invention, there is provided a cigarette making apparatus having a housing provided with a chamber having either one opening for the reception of loose tobacco for the manufacture of a non-filter cigarette or having two openings for the reception of loose tobacco and a filter for the manufacture of a filter cigarette. In all of the embodiments of this invention, the apparatus is adaptable for use in the manufacture of a filter cigarette or for a non-filter cigarette. A slide is shiftably carried in the housing for compacting the tobacco and is movable to and from a tobacco compacting position by connected linkage carried in channels in the housing and the slide. A portion of the linkage extends exteriorly of the housing and is connected to a handle so that predetermined movement of the handle will cause the linkage to move the slide to a predetermined position.

The slide when moved to the predetermined position forces the tobacco and filter against a plunger slidably mounted in the housing at the bottom of the chamber for movement in a direction transverse to the direction of the movement of the slide. A nozzle is mounted on the housing alignment with the bottom of the chamber and is adapted to support a cigarette paper tube so that the plunger can force the filter and compacted tobacco out of the housing into the tube.

In an alternative embodiment, the slide is movable to and from the tobacco compacting position by a cam rotatably carried in an opening in the slide. The cam is mounted in the housing at the bottom of the chamber for connection to a handle so that rotation of the handle will cause the cam to engage the walls of the slide opening to move the slide.

In a further embodiment, the slide is movable to and from the tobacco compacting position by a block slidably carried in an opening in the slide. A disc is rotatably carried in an opening in the block and eccentrically mounted on a pin rotatably mounted in the housing. A handle is connected to the pin for rotating the disc in the block to cause the block to bear against the walls of A the slide opening for moving the slide in the chamber.

In still a further operative embodiment of the invention, the slide is movable to and from the tobacco compacting position by an arcuate link swingably connected at one of its ends to the slide and swingably connected at its opposite end to a crank. A pin is connected to the crank and rotatably mounted in the housing. A handle is connected to the pin for rotating the crank to cause the link to move the slide in the chamber.

Finally, it should also be kept in mind that when a filter cigarette is being made, either the tobacco or the filter may be positioned in relation to the cigarette paper tube so that either one may be injected into the paper tube initially.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating several somewhat preferred embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a cigarette making apparatus of the invention with a charge of tobacco, a filter, and a cigarette paper tube shown in phantom with arrows showing the direction of positioning these elements with respect to the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIGS. 6-8 show a sectional side elevation view thereof taken along the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the parts of the apparatus during the sequence of operations involved in making a cigarette;

FIG. 9 is a sectional end elevation view thereof taken along the plane of line 99 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a sectional end elevation view thereof taken along the plane of line 1010 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional end elevation view thereof showing the slide in the up position and the chamber of the apparatus prior to loading thereof;

FIG. 12 is another view of FIG. 11 shown with the slide in the down position having compacted a predetermined charge of tobacco and positioned the tobacco and filter in the plunger portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a partially sectional view of a cigarette having been made by the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the nozzle portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a modified form of the plunger portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional elevation view of the plunger of FIG. 15 taken along the plane of line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation view of a modification of the apparatus showing the filter re ceiving compartment and the tobacco charge receiving department in reverse position;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a sectional end elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 18 taken along the plane of line 1919 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a sectional side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 18 taken along the plane of line 2020 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a sectional side elevation view of the slide portion of a further alternative embodiment of the apparatus; and

FIG. 22 is a sectional side elevation view of still a further alternative embodiment of the slide portion of the apparatus.

Description of the preferred embodiments As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the apparatus of this invention is adaptable for use in manufacturing an all-tobacco cigarette or a filter cigarette. However, for descriptive purposes, the following will be confined to the manufacture of a filter cigarette. In the initially described embodiment, as shown in the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1-5, the invention comprises basically a housing 10 formed from a block 11 connected to a cover plate 12. This connection is accomplished by a plurality of screws or other common fastening means positioned in holes 14 in cover plate 12 and holes 15 in block 11 when the two pieces 11 and 12 are properly positioned with respect to one another and holes 14 and 15 are properly aligned. The inner faces of block 11 and cover plate 12 are recessed to form a chamber 16 when combined interiorly of the housing. Block 11 also contains a longitudinal slot 17 which communicates with chamber 16 when housing 10 is formed to provide an access means for placing the filter and the tobacco charge within chamber 16. When manufacturing a filter cigarette, a filter receiver is adapted to fit within longitudinal slot 17 and be fastened in position by a common fastener located in hole 19 of filter receiver 18 and hole 20 in block 11. Filter receiver 18 has an opening 21 which is approximately equivalent in size to the filter to be used on the cigarette to be made so that the filter may be placed within a specific portion of chamber 16. Filter receiver 18 also contains a projection 22 extending perpendicular to the outer face of block 11 and into chamber 16 from one end of the filter receiver. Projection 22 forms a rib which separates the filter placed within chamber 16 through opening 21 from the tobacco which is placed within chamber 16 through the remainder of the opening in slot 17. In this manner, the filter is maintained in separate relationship from the loose tobacco contained within the apparatus and alleviates the danger of possible tobacco fragments infiltrating the filter portion of the cigarette during the manufacture thereof. So, in this manner, rib 22 forms a projection which divides the upper end of chamber 16 into separate compartments, a larger compartment for the tobacco portion of the cigarette and a smaller compartment for the filter portion of the cigarette. At the lower end of chamber 16, rib 22 is not present and therefore the two compartments of chamber 16 are in communication. After the tobacco has been compacted there is little danger of fragments thereof becoming dislodged and unintentionally moving in the filter portion of the cigarette. Before the filter and tobacco can be inserted into a paper tube, one end of the filter must contact the compacted tobacco. Therefore, it is readily apparent why rib 22 does not extend into the lower end of chamber 16. It may also be noted that the lower end of rib 22 has a concave surface 23 approximating the outer configuration of the tubular shape of the compacted tobacco so that the tobacco will have a uniform outer surface structure along its entire length after it has been compacted and is ready for insertion into the paper tube.

A slide 24 having a concave lower face 25 is slidably carried in chamber 16 with two upper end prong portions 26 projecting upwardly through a slot 27 formed by the combined upper surfaces of block 11 and cover plate 12. Slide 24 has a slot 28 extending upwardly from its lower face which is received over the rib 22 so that slide 24 is movable in both the larger and the smaller compartments formed by rib 22. It will also be noted that the lower portion 29 of slot 28 in slide 24 is beveled to facilitate the sliding engagement between slide 24 and rib 22.

There is an opening 30 between prongs 26 in slide 24 which receives a major portion of the linkage and movement mechanism which moves slide 24 upward and downward within housing 10. It should also be noted that there is a central opening 31 in block 11 which communicates with opening 27 and space 30 to receive portions of the movement mechanism. Mounted in opening 31 in block 11 is partition 32 which prevents communication bet-ween opening 31 and slot 17 in block 11. This partition has two vertical slits 33, the purpose of which will be discussed below.

Returning to the structure of slide 24, the underside of prongs 26 contain a groove 34 which is continuous between the prongs and which receive a portion of the movement mechanism.

The portion of cover plate 12 which is in communication with the slide moving mechanism portion of the apparatus contains several recesses also to receive portions of the linkage and the mechanism. There is a horizontal groove 35 adjacent the top portion of cover plate 12 on the inner surface thereof which communicates with two parallel downwardly extending grooves 36. Also there are two notches 37 in the upper inner surface of cover plate 12 adjacent to grooves 35 and 36. Finally, positioned between notches 37 and groove 35 are two holes 38 which also serve to hold the slide moving mechanism and linkage in proper position.

Turning to the components of the linkage and movement mechanism itself, there is a locking lever or handle 39 which is conveniently shown as having a rectangular shape with two downward projecting side flaps 40 which are substantially parallel and which have two spaced holes 41 and 42. The holes 41 and 42 of each flap 40 is aligned with the holes 41 and 42 of the other fiap 40 on the other side of handle 39. A 'pin 43 is adapted to pass through aligned holes 41 and its purpose will be discussed below.

The linkage itself concludes a spacer block 44 of rectangular configuration having two spaced holes 45 extending through its lateral width thereof and a hole 46 extending through its longitudinal length thereof. The remainder of the linkage includes two side plates 47, a hinge pin 48 and a pivot pin 49. Each side plate contains an upper hole 50 and a lower hole 51 to receive hinge pin 48 and pivot pin 49 respectively when the linkage is assembled.

For assembly, the slide is positioned between block 11 and cover plate 12 in its uppermost position so that prongs 26 slightly extend above the upper surface of assembly 10. Spacer block 44 is positioned and aligned with cover plate 12 so that holes 45 in spacer block 44 is aligned with holes 38 in cover plate 12 and suitable fasteners are utilizedin these openings to fasten the space block in position. Locking lever or handle 39 may then be permanently rotatably fixed to spacer bar 44 by means of pin 43 which extends through openings 41 and through the entire length of opening 46 in spacer block 44. In this manner, locking lever 39 rotates about pin 43 in fixed position in both directions from a closed to an opened position or from an opened to a closed position. Notches 37 in cover plate 12 permit this freedom of movement of handle 39 by eliminating the danger of communication between the rear curved or arcuate surface 52 of handle 39 and the surface of cover plate 12. The other pair of aligned holes 42 inside flaps 40 of handle 39 are positioned on the ends of hinge pin 48 of the linkage assem bly. They are positioned so that the inner side of side flaps 40 contact the outer surface of each respective side plate 47. It should also be noted that holes 50 in side plate 47 are also positioned on the ends of hinge pin 48. Hinge pin 48 has reduced end portions so that side plate 47 can only move inwardly a small predetermined amount so that they will remain relatively adjacent to locking lever of handle 39.

Holes 51 in the lower end of side plates 47 are positioned on pivot pin 49 and remain in fixed position due to pivot pin 49 being fixed within groove 34 in slide 24. It should also be noted that there are slotted portions 53 in the upper surface of slide 24 between prongs 26 to receive the portion of side plates 47 which extend below holes 51.

When housing is assembled, and handle 39 is in its raised position, slide 24 will also be in a raised position and prongs 26 will extend slightly above the upper surface of housing 10. Slot 17 and slot 21 are now open to receive a charge of tobacco and a filter respectively in the upper end of chamber 16 where they 'Will be kept separate by means of rib 22.

When block 11 and cover plate 12 are assembled, a tubular bore 54 is formed which is open at both longitudinal ends of housing 10 and which communicates with the lower end of chamber 16. At the discharge end of tube 54 are two spaced apart prong portions which form an opening 55 at the lower forward end of housing 10. Suitably mounted at the discharge end of tubular opening 54 is a nozzle 56 extending into discharge opening 55.

.Nozzle 56 has a central bore which communicates with tube 54 to receive the tobacco and filter as it is discharged from the housing. The discharge end of nozzle 56 has a beveled scoop configuration to facilitate the placing of a paper tube to form a cigarette wrapper on the nozzle. When the filter and compacted tobacco is then discharged it will be discharged through nozzle opening 57 of nozzle 56 into the paper tube 58 to form the cigarette. As stated previously, nozzle 56 is suitably mounted in housing 10, as for example, by means of a flanged rear portion 59 positioned in circular detent 60 formed by the arcuate detented portions on block 11 and cover plate 12 when they are assembled.

As shown, an elongated plunger 61 is slidably carried in bore 54 formed by the combined inner faces of blocks 11 and cover plate 12. The plunger comprises an elongated forward portion 62 having an upwardly open, arcuate cross section disposed at the lower end of chamber 16 in bore 54. The arcuate configuration of forward portion 62 when combined with the arcuate undersurface of slide 25 and rib 22 approximate the circular size and configuration of the compacted tobacco and filter to be inserted into the paper tube. Portion 62 is connected at its rearward end t an upwardly projecting stop 63 the upper end of which projects into chamber 16 to lie in a plane just below the lower end of rib 22 when the rib is in its lowermost position. When block 11 and cover plate 12 are assembled, there is a longitudinal slit 64 formed by the lower inner edges of the combined block and cover plate which permits the travel of a thin right angle shaped bracket 65 extending downwardly from and parallel to stop 63 of plunger 61. Mounted at the upper and most forward corner of bracket 65 outside of housing 10 is a fiat projection 66 which rides along the undersurface of housing 10 as the plunger is projected and retracted within bore 54. Mounted on bracket 65 is a handle 67 shaped as shown to render it easy for an operator to reciprocate the plunger 61. Handle 67 is attached to bracket 65 by means of pin 68 extending through aligned holes 69 in handle 67 and 70 in bracket 65. Bracket 65 itself extends downwardly into the centrally located slotted portion of handle 67 until holes 69 and 70 are properly aligned and pin 68 can be inserted therein.

Also incorporated as part of the handle and bracket assembly is a locking system which includes upwardly extending prongs 71 which normally are seated in transverse notch 72 formed by the assembled housing 10 when plunger 61 is in its fully retracted position. A spring 73 is housed in hole 74 of handle 67 and bears against the undersurface of bracket 65 and the bottom of hole 74 so as to bias handle 67 in the locked position with prongs 71 located in notch 72. Therefore, when the plunger is fully retracted, prongs 71 will snap into notch 72 and will normally prevent plunger 61 from being moved forward accidentally during loading and will also serve as an indicator to the user that the plunger is in the fully retracted position and therefore facilitate the proper operation of the apparatus. When it is desirable to move plunger 61 in a forward direction, the operator need only push forward on the lower portion of handle 67 to free prongs 71 from notch 72 and the plunger will easily slide forward and deposit the charge of tobacco and filter into the properly positioned paper tube.

As illustrative of the operation of the apparatus in making a cigarette, particular notice should be made of FIGS. 1 and 6- 8. As shown in FIG. 1, locking lever or handle 39 is in the up or open position so that slide 24 is also in the open position in the upper portion of chamber 16. As shown in phantom and by use of the arrows, a filter 75 may be inserted into opening 21 defined in filter receiver 18 and a predetermined charge of loose tobacco 72 may be inserted into opening 17 of block 11. As previously discussed, rib 22 will prevent portions of tobacco from coming into contact with the filter 75 at this stage in the cigarette manufacturing process. A cigarette paper tube 58 may then be inserted on nozzle 56 and will eventually receive the filter 75 and tobacco 76 to form a completed filter cigarette 77 as shown in FIG. 13.

The apparatus is then in the position as shown in FIG. 6 and is ready for the actual cigarette making operation. Blocking lever 39 is still in the up or open position and slide 24 is still above the charge of tobacco and the filter tip. The next step in the sequence of manufacturing operations is demonstrated in FIG. 7. To reach the stage shown in FIG. 7, the handle 39 is pivotally rotated downward about pin 43 so that the linkage including side plate 47 hinge pin 48 and pivot pin 49 will cause slide 24 to move downwardly toward the lower end of chamber 16. This is readily apparent since pivot pin 49 is fixed in position in groove 34 of slide 24. It should be kept in mind that notches 37 in plate 12 facilitate the free pivotal move ment of handle 39. When lever 39 reaches the disposition illustrated in phantom in FIG. 10, the slide 24 will have reached its lowermost position to produce the maximum compaction of the tobacco charge disposed in chamber 16. In this position the axis of pins 48 and 49 will be substantially aligned with the axis of the slide 24 and chamber 16. When lever 39 is in the complete downward or closed position, pin 48 will have been shifted passed center and then slide 24 will have retracted slightly to relieve the pressure of the slide 24 on the compressed tobacco charge 76 and filter 75. Filter 75 in the bottom of chamber 16 will be in contact with elongated portion 62 of plunger 61. Similarly, the tobacco charge 76 will also be compacted into cigarette size. As previously discussed, slot 28 of slide 24 will receive rib 22 so as to permit slide 24 to move to the desired depth within chamber 16. In this manner, the forward end of filter 75 contacts the rear end of the compacted charge of tobacco 76 in proper aligned relationship. Since the tobacco charge is compacted and confined to a specific area, there is little danger of any tobacco coming into contact with portions of the filter 75 other than its forward end portion. At this stage, the filter 75 and tobacco charge 76 are ready to be inserted into paper tube 58.

The insertion process is accomplished by the forward reciprocation movement of plunger 61 to its fullest extent until it reaches the position as shown in FIG. 8 where the filter and the tobacco charge have been properly positioned within paper tube 58 to form a completed cigarette 77. It should be noted that the elongated portion 62 of plunger 61 slides through nozzle 56 and extends virtually the entire length of paper tube 58. The particular shape as previously discussed is shown in detail in FIG. 14. The manner in which arcuate surfaces of the plunger and the arcuate underside 25 of the slide combined to form a circular configuration in which to compact the tobacco and bring it into alignment with the filter is demonstrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

To actuate the plunger and move it from the position shown in FIG. 7 to that position shown in FIG. 8, the bottom of handle 67 which is shaped so as to form a convenient thumb positioning surface is pushed forward which thereby compresses spring 73 upwardly and frees prongs 71 from their locking position within notch 72 thereby permitting further force to move the plunger forward. In the forward movement of plunger 61, end stop 63 will contact the rear end of filter 75 and will project filter 75 and the compact charge of tobacco 76 into paper tube 58 thereby forming the cigarette 77. To insure that plunger 61 is moved forward a proper amount, a forward end stop 79 is formed by adjacent surfaces of block 11 and cover plate 12 with the end stop being the forward end of slit 64. When the plunger is moved to its forwardmost position, the inner vertical surface 80 of right angle bracket portion 65 of plunger 61 contacts and is stopped by end stop 79. At this point, the filter 75 and charge of tobacco 76 are properly positioned within paper tube 58. Plunger 61 may then be retracted until prongs 71 are snapped into notch 72 by the action of spring 73 thereby properly positioning plunger 61 for the next cigarette to be made. As the elongated portion 62 of plunger 61 is retracted from cigarette 77, the filter 75 and charge of tobacco 76 remain in cigarette 77 in their proper position.

A modified form of plunger assembly 61 is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 to facilitate the insertion of the tobacco charge into paper tube 58 and the retraction of plunger 61' to its fullest extent without disturbing the tobacco and filter placed within paper tube 58. It will be noted that there are a series of aligned upward serrations 80 along the length of elongated portions 62' of plunger 61. These serrations serve to grip the compacted charge of tobacco 76 and facilitate its injection into the paper tube since they form a raised roughened surface when the plunger is moved in that direction. Conversely, when the plunger 61 is retracted, these serrations form a smooth inclined surface which permits the easy retraction of the plunger without disturbing the tobacco charge or the filter within the paper tube 58.

An additional modification of this embodiment is demonstrated in FIG. 1, where an apparatus is shown which is similar in all respects to that previously described with the exception that the structure is such that the charge of tobacco and the filter are reversed in position when inserted into chamber 16. In this manner, the filter is inserted first into the paper tube 58 and then the charge of tobacco 76 inserted thereafter. It is readily apparent how filter receiver 18 may be modified to be positioned in the forward portion of slot 17 rather than the rear portion. In all other respects, the manufacture of each individual cigarette would substantially be the same.

Turning to FIGS. 18-20, an alternative embodiment of the cigarette forming apparatus of the invention is disclosed. The operation thereof is virtually the same as that of the previously discussed embodiments with several modifications in structure and design to achieve the same results.

The apparatus comprises a housing 81 formed from a block 82 connected to a cover plate 83 by a pluarlity of screws 84. The inner face of the block is recessed to form a chamber 85, and a rib 86 on the block 82 projects into the chamber above the lower end thereof to divide the upper portion of the chamber into a larger and a smaller compartment which are in open communication with each other at the lower end of the chamber. The larger compartment has a length approximating the length of the tobacco portion 76 of a cigarette and the smaller compartment has a length approximating the length of a filter 87. An elongated window opening 88 is formed in the block 82 in communication with the larger of the two compartments formed by rib 86, and a smaller window opening 89 is also formed in the block in communication with the smaller one of said compartments and in longitudinal alignment with the opening 88. The openings are disposed adjacent the lower ends of the compartments, and as will become more apparent hereinafter, loose tobacco and a filter are insertable into chamber 85 through the openings 88 and 89 respectively to form the finished cigarette.

A slide 90 having a concave lower face 91 is slidably carried in the chamber 85 with its upper end projecting upwardly through a slot 92 in the upper face of block 82. The slide has a slot 93 extending upwardly from its lower face which is received over the rib 86 whereby the slide is movable in both the larger and smaller compartments formed by the rib. An opening 94 extends transversely through the slide 90 and a cam 95 is rotatably carried therein. The cam is fixedly mounted on an inner end of a pin 96 rotatably carried in an opening 97 in the block 82 with the outer end of the pin being connected to a handle 98. The cam 95 and opening 94 are proportioned such that upon rotation of the cam it will bear against the walls of the opening to move the slide 90 vertically within chamber 85.

As shown, an elongated plunger 99, similar in construction to the plunger of the previously discussed embodiment, is slidably carried in a groove 100 formed in the inner face of the block 82. The plunger comprises an elongated forward portion 101 having an upwardly open, arcuate cross section disposed at the lower end of the chamber 85. Portion 101 is connected at its rearward end to an upwardly projecting stop 102. The upper end of which projects into chamber 85 to lie in a plane just below the lower end of rib 86. A handle 103 having a smaller cross sectioned neck 104 at its upper end is connected to the lower face of stop 102 as, for instance, by a bolt 105. The neck 104 is slidably carried in an elongated slot 106 formed in the bottom face of block 82. Thus, as the handle .103 is moved longitudinally along the housing 81, the plunger 99 will slide along the bottom of chamber 85.

A discharge nozzle 107 adapted to be inserted into a cigarette paper tube 58 is mounted in an opening 108 in the forward end of block 82. Nozzle 107 is disposed in longitudinal alignment with the lower end of chamber 85 so that upon movement of plunger 99 toward the nozzle, the plunger portion 101 will slide through said nozzle and into paper tube 58.

In order to help retain a paper tube 58 on nozzle 107 when plunger 99 is slid therethrough, a pin 1.12 projects outwardly from the forward end of slide 90 through a vertically extending slot 109 in the block 82 for connection to a gripper 110. Gripper 110 is desirably formed from a resilient material and has a concave lower face so that when the slide is moved into its lowered position in chamber 85, gripper 110 will bindingly retain a paper tube 58 on nozzle 107. Conveniently, as shown, a pair of laterally spaced, forward projecting guides 111 may be provided on the forward end of block 82 to help guide the movements of gripper 110.

In operation of the device, the sequence followed is similar to that of the previously discussed embodiment. Plunger 99 and slide 90 are moved to their retracted positions and a cigarette paper tube 58 is placed on nozzle 107. Loose tobacco 86 and a filter 87 are then inserted into chamber 85 through the openings 88 and 89. Handle 98 is turned to cause cam 95 to rotate against the walls of the slide opening 94 to thus cause the slide to move toward the plunger closing openings 88 and 89 and compressing the tobacco and filter against the armate plunger portion 101. As shown in dotted lines in FIG. 20 and as is certainly true of all of the embodiments disclosed herein and contemplated by this invention, the slide 90 is adapted to be retracted slightly following attainment of maximum compression of the tobacco to facilitate insertion of the tobacco charge 86 and filter 87 into tube 58 with a minimum of interference or friction from the slide. The slight retraction of the slide 90 may readily be accomplished by reducing the radius of the curve of the cam 95 immediately following the desired maximum compression of the tobacco charge 86. During such slide movement, gripper 110 will have been moved toward nozzle 107 to bindingly retain paper tube 58 on the nozzle. With the slide in its fully lowered position, the plunger is moved toward the nozzle with its stop 102 bearing against the filter to cause the filter and the compacted tobacco ahead of it to be forced outwardly through nozzle 107 and into paper tube 58 supported thereon. After insertion of the tobacco and filter into the paper tube, the plunger is withdrawn from the paper tube and the slide is moved upwardly to release the gripper 110 from the paper tube so that the finished cigarette can then be withdrawn from the nozzle.

In the event it is desired to make a non-filter cigarette, it is merely necessary to insert additional loose tobacco into the chamber 85 through the opening 89 instead of the filter. Naturally, as in the previously discussed embodiment, the structure of the apparatus may be modified so that the positions of the filter and the charge of tobacco are reversed so that the plunger first inserts the filter into the paper tube and then the tobacco charge thereafter.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show modifications of the cam 95 for moving the slide in chamber 85. -In the modification of FIG. 21, the slide 90a is provided with a rectangular opening 94a having a block 95a slidably carried therein. A disc 113 is rotatably carried in a circular opening in block 95a in engagement with the walls of the opening. The disc is eccentrically mounted on a pin 96a rotatably mounted in the housing so that as the pin is rotated the disc rotates within block 95a to cause said block to bear against the horizontal walls of the slide opening 94a to effect vertical movement of the slide for compressing the tobacco.

In the modification shown in FIG. 22, the pin 96b rotatably mounted in the housing is connected to a crank 114. Crank 114 is swingably connected by pin 115 to an arcuate link 1.16 swingably connected to the slide 90b by a pin 117. As shown, the crank 114 and link 116 are mounted in a recess 94b in slide 90b so that the compacting assembly need not increase the overall width of the housing. Thus, rotation of pin 96b and crank 1.14 causes the link 116 to move the slide 90b vertically for compressing the tobacco.

Naturally, in the modifications as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the remaining structure in operation of the apparatus is similar to that described in regard to the second embodiment discussed above. In the embodiments of FIGS. 21 and 22, it will be appreciated that upon maximum compression of the tobacco charge the respective slides a and 90b will be retracted slightly by suitable selection of the radius of the cam or eccentric surfaces.

In view of the foregoing, the aforementioned objects and advantages are effectively attained. Although several somewhat preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that the invention is in no sense limited thereby, but is to be determined by the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for making cigarettes, comprising a housing having a chamber provided with a pair of compartments in open communication with each other adjacent one end of said chamber, wherein one of said compartments is adapted to receive tobacco and the other of said compartments is adapted to receive a filter, said housing having a pair of openings formed therein for admitting said tobacco and filter and each of which is in open communication with one of said compartments, a nozzle mounted on said housing in alignment with said one end of said chamber and in open communication therewith and adapted to hold a cigarette paper tube, a slide carried in the compartments of said chamber and movable toward and away from said one end of said chamber and for compressing said tobacco and moving said filter in said one end of said chamber, means for moving said slide in said chamber, and a plunger mounted in said one end of said chamber and movable transversely of said slide for forcing the tobacco and filter through said nozzle into the cigarette paper tube.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which said compartments are formed by a rib extending across said chamber, and said slide is provided with a slot slidable along said rib.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which said compartments are formed by a rib spaced upwardly from said one end of said chamber and extending across said chamber, said slide is provided with a slot slidable along said rib, and said plunger has a stop adjacent its remote end from said nozzle, the upper end of said stop terminating adjacent the lower end of said rib.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which said compartments comprise a larger and a smaller compartrnent and said openings comprise a larger and a smaller opening in open communication with said larger and smaller compartments, respectively, said openings being disposed in longitudinal alingment with each other.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein there are stop means on said housing in association with stop means on said plunger to define the most forward position of said plunger with respect to said housing and the most rearward position of said plunger with respect to said housing thereby facilitating the proper positioning of said tobacco and filter on said plunger when said plunger is in its most rearward position and the proper positioning of said filter and tobacco in said paper tube when said plunger is in its most forward position.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein means are provided for retracting the slide following compression, of the tobacco to facilitate the action of the plunger in forcing the tobacco and filter into the paper tube.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which the adjacent faces of said slide and plunger have opposed arcuate sections, and said plunger is provided at its end remote from said nozzle with a stop projecting into said chamber.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which said plunger is provided with an elongated arcuate section having a stop at one of its ends projecting into said chamber, and handle means connected to said plunger at said one end slidably carried in a slot in said housing.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which the means for moving said slide comprises linkage carried in an opening in said slide and having one end mounted in said slide, and a handle connected to the other end of said linkage so that when said handle is moved in one direction said linkage will move said slide in response thereto and when said handle is moved in another direc tion said linkage will move said slide in a reciprocal direction in said chamber.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said plunger is provided with a plurality of aligned raised serrations along the elongated arcuate section thereof and facing so that when said plunger is moved transversely to force the tobacco into the paper tube said serrations will aid in the movement of said tobacco and when said plunger is retracted from said paper tube said serrations will not disturb the position of the tobacco within said paper tube.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for moving said slide comprises a'cam carried in an opening in said slide and mounted on a pin rotatably mounted in said housing, and a handle connected to said pin for rotating said cam against the walls of said slide opening for moving said slide in said chamber.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for moving said slide comprises a block slidably carried in an opening in said slide, a disc rotatably carried in an opening in said block and eccentrically mounted on a pin rotatably mounted in said housing, and a handle connected to said pin for rotating said disc in said block to cause said block to bear against the walls of the slide opening for moving said slide in said chamber. 13. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which said means for moving said slide comprises an arcuate link swingably connected at one of its ends to said slide and swingably connected at its opposite end to a crank, a pin connected to said crank and rotatably mounted in said housing, and a handle connected to said pin for rotating said crank to cause said link to move the slide in said chamber.

14. The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which a gripper is connected to said slide for movement therewith along the outer face of said housing for bindingly retaining the cigarette paper tube on said nozzle, and a pair of guides project outwardly from said outer face of the'housing for guiding the movements of said gripper.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 562,213 6/1896 Bruandet 131--70 2,714,383 8/1955 Gee 13170 2,731,971 1/1956 Kastner 13170 3,202,156 8/1965 Kappeler et al. 13170 FOREIGN PATENTS 624,824 1 1/1936 Germany. 1,900,946 9/ 1964 Germany.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner JAMES H. CZERWONKY, Assistant Examiner 

